Description

Nigel Mansell's first licensed computer game recreates all 16 Formula 1 circuits of the time, viewed from behind the car but with a full cockpit-type view below. This is important because the game is very much a simulation rather than an action game.

Before each race you have to do three qualifying laps, and only make the grid if you are fast enough to meet the pre-defined qualifying limit. The races can be between 5 and 20 laps, or at full length if you prefer - fortunately a half-finished season can be saved to cassette or disk.

F1 cars of this era have turbo boosts, and this is available in the game to provide a quick blast of extra speed, which is useful for overtaking but can cause the turbo or the engine itself to be overstressed, as well as using fuel more quickly (pitstops are for tires but not fuel, again in keeping with the era's real Formula 1 rules).

Forums

Trivia

C64 version

The game was also planned for the Commodore 64, however this version was hit by delays after intended developers Andromeda Software pulled out. It was completed, possibly programmed by Simon Nicol, but Martech founder David Martin recalls that it was of poor quality. Rumours suggest that a handful of copies were manufactured before Martech folded, yet none have been found, and only the loading screen is known to survive.

Packaging

The reissue from Alternative Software features new cover art, depicting the Ferrari F1 car Mansell drove in 1989 following his move from Williams (whose 1987 car is depicted on the original cover). He ultimately returned to Williams to win the 1992 World Championship.